LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



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UNITED STATES OF AJIERIOA. 



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ME OF M 








A 



30-TEXAI2 TALE, 



By W. S. Heavenhill. 



Copyright applied for and all Rights reserved. 



SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. 

1888. 

ScKULZ & ScHOTT. Printers. 



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^^N offering this production to the reading 
public, unlike a great many literary aspirants, 
1 have no excuse to plead. It was not pub- 
lished at the urgent request of friends ancl re- 
latives like the generality of books now a days, 
but was simply an act of my own rashness, for 
which no one is accountable but myself. 

The story of the Alamo, and of those who fell 
there in the defense of Texan liberty, has al- 
ways seemed to me a subject worthy of some- 
thing more than mere prosaic mention. And 
though several poems have already been writ- 
ten about it, none of them as yet seem to have 
succeeded in acquiring anything more than 
local fame. For that reason I may now be al- 
lowed to present mine, although it should be to 
share even a worse fate. 

It is needless to say, that I have not adhered 
strictly to the history of the Alamo in writing 
this poem. This fact all readers sufficiently 
acquainted with its history will observe. While 
the siege actually lasted eleven days, here it 
only occupies two. Had I celebrated the full 
number of days, it would have been necessary, 
in my opinion, to have written a poem with 
eleven parts, devoting one part to each day, 
and to do this it would indeed have required 
the pen of a Virgil or a Homer to acccomplish 
successfully. 



PREFACE. 

I wish to mention right here, that I never had 
the pleasure of viewing the Alamo till several 
months after the completion of this poem; 
However, I do not plead this as an excuse for 
any errors that may occur herein, because if it 
proves a success no excuse is necessary, and if 
it proves a failure, no excuse can remedy it. 

William S. Heavenhill. 



-^Q^he Bzege oftJie -jllcbTrbo.^ 



"^ "oS^o 



CANTO I. 



With form erect and eye serene, 

And all that dignity of mein 

A king should wear, when girt by those, 

Who know to guard against his foes, 

Surrounded by his wonted crowd, 

Amonte sat, — a chief endowed 

With all the fame, that renders great 

The ruler of a Mexic ^) state. 

Tho' aged now, there was a time 
When in the vigor of his prime. 
While yet he felt those vital fires. 
Ambition in the youth inspires. 
When Mexico with all her train 
Of armies marshalled on the plain, 
' Upreared her warlike front to those, 
Who dared proclaim themselves as foes= 
Then, while that empire needed most 
A skillful hand to lead her host. 
Than him was found no better man. 
To guard the rear, or guide the van, 
More skilled in every secret art, 
Where strategy with war takes part. 
To plant the battery, range the line, 
Till sanguine of his long design, 
The unexpected charge decree 
And point the way to victory. 



2 THE SIEGE 

And when returned from martial toil 

With trophies of the richest spoil, 

He laid the hostile blade aside, 

To wed the long intended bride, 

Who lived to many a joy impart, 

To him who early won her heart. 

Which still with his as changeless beat 

The same in triumph or defeat. 

And oft he gazed on her with pride. 

But since the faithful consort died. 

He lived as one averse to strife, 

In lonely singleness of life. 

No more he sought the battlefield. 

No more at banquet stood revealed 

With other chiefs a social guest, 

And quaffed the wine, or pass'd the jest, 

For sterner grown he scarcely smiled 

On any one save her, his child. 

His sole memorial of another, 

The peerless emblem of her mother. 

And loveliest of the gentler race. 

For beauty's stamp was on her face, 

Admired by all Marina stood 

Just on the verge of womanhood. 

And ladies born of rank and power, 

Her friendship sought in hall or bower. 

There too did countless suitors throng 

To hear her voice in native song. 

Or if within the dance to see 

That form of splendid symmetry. 

But none had ever yet discerned 

If deeply was her heart concerned, 

Till favored most Cortina came, 

And wooed and won the graceful dame. 

Whose stern sire saw with smiles of bliss, 

Her choice in unison with his; 

And since the hour the glittering band 

Was placed on her surrendered hand; 

That eye a darker magic bore. 



OF THE ALAMO. 



That cheek a softer splender wore, 
And ne'er with heart more blithely gay 
Did maid await her nuptial day. 

But there was one who ill could brook 

The satire of her scornful look, 

When thrice he dared his suit to press. 

Though unprolific of success; 

In \ain he feigned the deepest woe, 

To overcome the fatal no. 

Or turned to woo with careless air 

Some maid though beautiful less fair; 

But when he saw another gain 

That smile for which he sought in vain, 

Tlascala's chief Zamora stood 

A demon in a dangerous mood, 

With all that envy can impart, 

To rouse the evil in the heart. 

And never archfiend in his dreams 

Invented more malignant schemes 

Than those by which he sought to thrall 

And work a hated rival's fall. 

Branded as traitor for a deed, 

For which another ought to bleed, 

By justice sought, yet warned in time, 

Cortina left his native clime; 

And fled pursued from place to place 

With few who shared his own disgrace. 

Till now he stood amid his band 

An exile in a foreign land; 

Where now he leagued himself with those, 

His country's yet unconquered foes, 

To whom he proved in many a scene 

Of strife, whate'er his life had been, 

He now was one in every sense. 

Well worthy of their confidence; 

But oft he pondered o'er his fate, 

And all the deep relentless hate 

His country felt, till in despair 



THE SIEGE 



He turned his haughty eye to where 
Another's eye in sorrow gazed 
For him whose step was ne'er retraced, 
To where accused of lawless stife 
A vhemic justice asked his life. 

It is the hour, while yet the sun 
Just lingers on the horizon, 
The sky above, the earth below, 
Are gilded with a kindred glow; 
But pausing on yon summit yet, 
Still, still, he hesitates to set. 
Till outlaws, with impatient wrath 
Curse the slow progress of his path; 
Till anxious for the midnight scout 
The Indian from his lodge peeps out; 
Till weary herdsmen leave the plain. 
And homeward spur their steeds again; 
While maidens hail them from afar 
With ditties on the gay guitar. 
Or turn to mark the sun's repose 
And murmur softly adios, =) 
As slow he sinks from mortal sight, 
Fast followed by his train of light. 

At such an hour within his hall 

Almonte sat, his quiet eye 

Was gazing on the copal wall, 

When wildly loud, and thundering nigh, 

He heard the tramp of many a steed 

Fast nearing at terrific speed. 

" My caballeros 3) sure are late, 

Nor ride they oft at such a rate," 

He said, when dashing through the gate 

The foremost from his saddle sprang. 

To peons gave his wild mustang; 

With haughty step he pass'd the guard, 

And entered through the door unbarred. 

Within his belt a pistol hung. 

And at his side a sabre swung. 



OF THE ALAMO 



Whose clanging steel the stillness broke, 
And thus the startled chieftain spoke : 

''Great Mexitili! 4^ Who be ye, 
Who thus appear in arms to me ? 
Like heralds, coming from afar, 
To harbinger approaching war. 
When all around is joy and ease, 
And wears the blessed smile of peace. 
And yet that name I do recall, 
Zamora, welcome to our hall! 
The foam upon each jaded steed 
Proclaims your message one of speed; 
It cannot be the fierce brigand. 
Has sought again the Rio Grand, 
Or Indian, spurring over her banks, 
Once more resumes his sanguine pranks. 
Whate'er thy errand, speak in haste. 
That I, like thou, no time may waste." 

Zamora raised with haught)' bow 

His broad sombrero from his brow; 

Where scarce the massive brim could sheathe, 

That eye which fiercely gleamed beneath; 

For save his eye no evil trace 

Was stamped on his seductive face, 

And even such trace, had he the skill 

To hide, or to display at will. 

'Tis onl)' in tempestuous moods. 

That dark beam from his eye protrudes; - 

For few like him, could in the dance 

So well return the tender glance 

To Mexic maids. His was an art 

More suited to a wanton's heart. 

Than one whose innocence forbore 

To know the evil mind he wore. 

"Chief of Teha," s) the herald said, 
"Who hath in many a battle bled, 
None know, how I regret to tell, 



6 THE SIEG E 

What hath to thee this day befell: 

A soldier sent by thee of late, 

With pardon issued by your state, 

To one Cortina, long--accused 

Of various crimes in laws abused, 

Fell by a rebel Texan's hand. 

Confederate of some prying band; 

While I. who heard the distant shot, 

In speed rushed to the fatal spot. 

Arrivin*^ there in time of need. 

To late though, to avenge the deed, 

I heard him dying faintly ask 

Of me, performance of his task. 

Enough to say, Cortina's hand 

Prefers to bear the traitor's brand; 

For now within the Alamo 

He stands proclaimed as fierce a foe, 

As ever in rebellious cause. 

Drew sword against his country's laws." 

"Foul traitor ! dares he thus reject;, i-' 
Our offered pardon, he neglect 
My own Marina's plighted hand, 
To lead a lawless plundering band. 
Pedro come hence, — nay, not a word — 
I charge thee boy, bring me my sword, 
And bid those idlers near the wall. 
Lead forth my war steed from his stall; 
While they stand mounted near the arch, 
Till ordered to the midnight march, — 
These rebels yet shall shrink before 
Almonte's arm. I vow — nay more — 
I swear by Teocalli's ^^ shrine, 
A just revenge shall yet be mine." 

While yet his frame in anger shook, 
He left the crowd with stormy look, 
And sought a room apart from all. 
Far separate from the noisy hall. 
Where long he sat absorbed in thought, 



OF THE ALAMO. 



To deep to be disturbed by aught, 
Till Pedro's boyish voice, tho' strong. 
Aroused him with this stirring song: 

"When the shout of the fceman is l"eard on the plain, 
Shall his country appeal to the Mexic in vain ? 

And her women, and children, to enemies kneel, 
For the freedoom a Mexic can win with the steel. 

No — Sonera's stern warriors shall rise in their might, 
And mount the first steed, in their haste for the fight; 

But they'll weep, will they not, whom no terror alarms, 
When they leave the fond wife, with the babe in her arms 

And the sons of Tlascala, 7) so dreaded as foes, 
Shall resign, with a sigh, the soft couch of repose, 

W'hen they leave the young bride, in her sorrow so meek, 
With a kiss on her lips, and a tear on her cheek. 

But away, let no warrior such feelings confess, 
Lest his bosom should pity a foe in distress; 

Let the victor rejoice, tho' the vanquished complains. 
When homeward he comes, with the captive in chains. 

There's the border band'tti, who live on the line. 

How they smile, as they quaff their red flaggons of wine, 

But they'll scowl, when their stronghold is entered by me, 
To set the pale maid, in captivity, free. 

Ah 1 then let the bold Texan rebel beware. 

For the swoid of the Mexic no traitor shall spare, 

When with wild sashes streaming and banners at large, 
Our brave caballeros shall throng to the charge." 

Scarce had the song the chief restored, 
When Pedro entered with his sword. 
Almonte marked his manly grace, 
His fearless look, yet boyish face. 
And said, "thanks for thy timely song, 
Else had I lingered here too long, 
Forgetful that my soldiers stand, 
Im.patient of my first command. ' 
Summon Marina, ere I go, 
I've that which she 'tis fit should know. 



THE SIEGE 



Obedient to her sire's command 
Marina came, with aspect bland; 
Ah! little did she think to hear 
Aught that would cost her eye a tear, 
As gaily thro' the lonely hall, 
She hastened at her father's call, 
Till gazing in that parent's face, 
She saw her sorrow and disgrace; 
While written on that brow of gloom. 
She read her outlawed lover's doom. 

" My own Marina, 'tis decreed, 
That I must mount the battle steed, 
And once again unsheathe the sword, 
To quell the Texan's rebel horde. 
Sadly thy voice may bid me stay, 
But duty urges me away, 
I cannot, must not calmly wait. 
While Texans pillage half my state, 
With Cortina, whose trait'rous heart 
Hath played by me the villain's part. 
When first they did his name assail. 
Then I but half believed the tale; 
But this confirms me, these last acts 
All faith extorts, all doubt extracts, 
Enough of him, his doom is said, 
And thou and he can never wed. 

"Tho' I may fall unknown, neglected, 
I would not leave thee unprotected. 
Therefore, to guard thy tender years, 
Another, better one appears; 
And he who now would woo thee o'er, 
Is one who sought thee thrice before. 
Thou know'st him well — nay child resign 
That unbecoming frown of thine, 
And let thy gentle face assume 
The smile that there was wont to bloom- 
Again I say, Zamora's name 
Shall some day win uncommon fame; 



OF 7^HE ALAMO. 



He is indeed in looks of face, 
A youth of Montezuma's^) race, 
The foremost of a mighty clan, 
A brave, and worthy Tlascalan, — 
A man of wealth and honor rife, 
Well worthy of so fair a wife." 

He waited not for her reply, 

But kiss'd the tear drop from her eye. 

Thrice press'd her to his aged breast, 

And this to calm her fears express'd: 

"My child, waste not thy soul in grief 

O'er him whose stay will but be brief; 

If now such tears for me are shed, 

How wilt thou mourn, when I am dead; 

But dry thine eyes, the time is near 

When Alamo shall quake with fear; 

When all who of power make sport 

In that too long rebellious fort. 

In slaughtered heaps shall strew the ground 

While her proud walls lie scattered 'round; 

Nor then shall one be left of all 

To tell the story of her fall." 

So spoke her sire, then to depart 
He turned away with heavy heart, 
And sought his band; as he drew near 
That band loud hail'd him with a cheer, 
And mounting each his ready steed. 
Dashed through the open gate in speed; 
And marshalling on the moonlit plain, 
Soon pass'd from view the warlike train. 



10 THE SIEGE 



CANTO 11. 

Almonte comes with armed hordes, 
They are the Mexic's worthiest, 
An untame race of prowling koords, 
Whose very thoughts are blood at best; 
The campfires of each dusky clan 
Blaze on the hills of Alazan ^^; 
And San Antonio's city stands, 
Once more the prey of plund'ring bands; 
Too small in numbers to oppose. 
This last, fierce onset of her foes 
Her late inhabitants have fled. 
Before the Mexic's hostile tread; 
There's not in all that hapless town, 
A house whose inmates have not flown; 
All has been yielded to the foe. 
All — save immortal Alamo. 

Within those walls with sword in hand, 

Stood Travis and his daring band; 

Though small his force '^^ compared to those 

With whom he soon or late must close. 

In all the dangers of that strife, 

Where man for freedom hazards life; 

Though far outnumbered, still he wore 

The aspect of a conqueror; 

And proudly viewed his* little host. 

The bravest that his land could boast. 

And gave to each his duty there. 

With cool and self reliant air, 

Or turned with fearless eye to scan 

The army of the Mexican. 

And never there since Milam 3) fell, 
And gallant Perry fought so well 



OF THE ALAMO. n 

With few, 'gainst those o'erwheiming numbers, 

Whose bones that hillside still encumbers, 

Did ever such a force appear 

Upon that spot to freedom dear, 

Like that, which now before her stands, 

In old Almonte 4^ and his bands. 

Alongr von hills whose v'erdant hue 

Op'ns like springtime on the view, 

Far stretched in w^arlike panoplies, 

They've spread their tented canopies, 

And here, and there along the line 

The bay'nets gleam, or cannons shine, 

While careless of the long patrol, 

In crowds the idle sentries stroll; 

And only wait the morn's first ray, 

To light them to the fierce affray. 

There stands, not far from Alamo, 
A structure reared long years ago; 
A lonely mission, s) dark and drear, 
Worn by the blasts of many a year. 
Here, where the Padres^' used to tread, 
The grass grows on their graves instead; 
The images are all o'erthrown, 
The cells are bare, the altar gone; 
And time has made her cloist'ral halls, 
A mouldering mass of roofless walls. 
Still, the main edifice remains, 
And half her former charms retains. 
Here travelers pause, and ponder o'er 
The sculpture on the lofty door. 
Or marvel at the skill displayed, 
In carving on the rich facade, 
Or tear, with hands profane, away 
Some relic of her former day. 
But the rude Mexican, to whom 
The solemn grandeur of her gloom, 
Is something sacred filled with dread. 
Like one may feel when near the dead. 



12 THE SIEGE 

There's not a fragment of a stone, 
He dares to covet as his own. 

Such was the spot Cortina sought 

That night, oppressed with many a thought. 

In this same ruin had he knelt 

In times gone by, and now he felt 

Ev'n more than then, his double need 

Of holy guidance and a creed. 

With which to win him to forget 

The joys that earth might yield him yet; 

And bid him spurn as vilest dust 

All earthly pride, all earthly lust. 

A few short hours and he may be 

Within his sepulcher; and he, 

Who thus to war with earth is given, 

Should die at least in peace with heaven. 

The prayer is o'er, the mass is said, 

With pious hand upon his head, 

A nd solemn voice, and aspect grave, 

The priest his fervent blessing gave. 

Cortina rose with lighter heart 

From where he knelt, — why doth he start. 

And gaze intently on the door. 

It is a maiden's form — no more — 

Approaching him with graceful tread, 

Like to a spirit's o'er the dead. 

Nearer she comes, like one entranced 

Cortina stood, as she advanced. 

While more and more distinct to view 

At every step her image grew, 

And better now his eye can trace 

The features of her lovely face, 

Whose smile his breast of doubt disarms, 

Marina 'tis in all her charms. 

In various hues embroidered o'er, _ 
Dark was the mantilla she wore, 
Nor less of taste her dress displayed. 



OF THE ALAMO y 

With lace of rich design arrayed; 
A ring of gold, the yellow band 
Cortina gave, still graced her hand. 
And 'round her neck of shaplier mould, 
Than pen of poet e'er extolled, 
A jewel necklace closely clung, 
From which a golden locket hung. 
Such were the fixtures art supplied; 
But these her native charms outvied, 
For oh! how far her eye excelled, 
The brightest gem her necklace held. 
But why her look of deep distress 
This Cortina alone can guess; 
Yet from his lips no accents broke, 
No sound was heard, no word he spoke, 
But gazed on her with fixed glance, 
And heart to full for utterance; 
And first to speak was she the maid. 
The priest withdrew, and thus she said : 



"Cortina, though thy heart has proved 

Faithless to her, by thee once loved; 

Yet no false pride can sway her will, 

Who deems it as her duty still 

To warn thee of the foes whose wrath 

With perils would beset thy path; 

I will not now thy patience task 

With questions long, yet let me ask: 

Say, why oh ! why didst thou refuse 

My father's pardon, and abuse 

The only mercy that had power 

To save thee in this dreadful hour ? 

Perhaps I was the unconcious cause. 

Which bade thee spurn thy country's laws; 

Perchance that heart to me grown cold, 

Another there did dearer hold. 

And thou in me wert loth to meet 

The victim of thy vile deceit; 

If so, may heaven's pity shrive thee, 



1 4 r.y^ SIEGE 

And C\o as I have done, forgive thee." 

" Marina, all that thou hast shown 

To me this night, I long have known, 

Thou warn'st me of my many foes, 

And yet thyself art one of those 

Who still believes each tale of shame, 

Now heaped on my dishonored name; 

And though to thee I ne'er was known 

To speak aught but the truth alone, 

My honor still thou wouldst upbraid 

With love of some fictitious maid. 

Alas ! whom man with crime once taunts. 

Suspicion thence forever haunts, 

For few will pause to poise the scales, 

And weigh the truth in evil tales; 

But trusting still to find in thee 

Some of thy former faith in me, 

To tell this tale to me belongs, 

Which shall unfold my many wrongs. 

"In Tlascala — my native state — 

Thou know'st, has been my home till late, 

'Twas there my early life was spent. 

Save when on public duty sent 

Abroad, her interest to inspect, 

Or foreign welfare to protect; 

For I my mind in boyhood stored 

With all her schools could then afford; 

Therefore on me was early thrust 

The care of many a public trust. 

And when by thirst glory fired. 

Ere Ramon's rule had quite expired, 

I sought the honored post as mine. 

Which he perforce must soon resign, 

I found opponents in my road, 

Foremost of whom Zamora stood. 

For once his evil cunning failed, 

And honesty o'er fraud prevailed; 

And though at times he did aspire 

'Gainst me to raise the peoples' ire; 



OF THE ALAMO 15 



For quarrel sought he no pretence, 
He knew too well my skill at fence; 
And then my death could nothing gain. 
Might Ramon not the place retain? 
But Ramon's death, and my disgrace 
Would leave him first to fill the place; 
And this he knew, now must thou know 
What bids him be my more than foe. 

"A Creole then in my employ, 

A weak, but avaricious boy, 

Zamora bribed with ill got gain, 

By stealth my poinard to obtain; 

One night from out this very vest 

He stole the blade, thou know'st the rest; 

By that same weapon Ramon fell, 

But who the deed did none could tell, 

Till near him on the gory ground. 

The pionard with my name was found 

Engraved thereon. 'Twere vain to tell 

How soon on me suspicion fell; 

Alike 'twere useless to relate 

How quick Zamora gain'd the state. 

*'I was not one to bide my time. 

And suffer for another's crime. 

Or in some dungeon waste my breath, 

A slower yet as sure a death. 

And though an outcast from my shore, 

As exile should my woes I bore; 

I have not murmured at that fate. 

Which governs o'er our mortal state; 

For he whom hardships often'st taunt. 

Their gorgon-features least can daunt; 

And long-exposure in the strife. 

Inures one to his lot in life. 

But time flies, and each loud report. 

Foreboding danger to our fort. 

Upbraids my absence where the foe, 

Assail the walls of Alamo; 



1 6 THE SI EGA 

Therefore in this I must be brief, 
Then rush at once to her relief. 

"Despite of foes I still had friends,. 

A few who sought. by various e.nds, 

Remission of the unjust cjoom ;. • 

That then hung over me, first of whom 

Thy father stood. 'Twas he who sent 

For pardon from. .our President 7) 

Who either for some service late, 

My hand had rendered to the state; 

Or else still grateful for his life. 

My arm once saved in time .of. strife; .^^; 

I know not:which of these to na;me, ...-j.-j.'- .,.^ 

I only know the pardon came; ,. • 

And the same Creole slave • who. bore^... • ., 

The fatal poinard from my door. 

Was then assigned to bear to me, 

The news that would have made me free. 

Like panthers steal upon their prey, '■ 

And scarce can wait for time to taring*'' 

The moment for the fatal spring," ' 

Zamora tracked him on his way; 

At length, they reached- 'a lonely -spot, 

Where no sound might betray the shot. 

The pistol flashed, the bullet sped, 

The Creole reeled to earth as dead; . ' '" 

Not long Zamora stood to view 

His victim, but in haste he drew, 

The pardon forth, else had he seen 

Cause for a second shot I ween. 

"That eve, when on my 'homeward- route 
With few assigned with me to scout, 
I heard a groan, and soon again 
Another issued from the glen; 
I hastened onward till I -stood, 
Where weltering in his guilty blood 
The Creole lay, — nor once he stirr'd, 
His voice though faint could still be heard, 



OF THE ALAMO ' ■ 17 



'Twas from his dying lips that fell 
The tale which now to thee I tell." 

He ceased, and looked with piercing eye 
Upon Marina w^eeping nigh, 
Who turned away her lovely face 
From him, on whom she dared not gaze; 
What could she now from him expect, 
But stern reproof, and cold neglect; 
She, who by evil tales misled, 
Had heaped reproaches on his head. 
He took her hand with changing face. 
Did she disdain his dear embrace? 
Ah no ! but wishing to be press'd 
More closely, lay she on his breast; 
Did not that kiss upon her cheek, 
Ere she could ask, forgiveness speak ? 

*'Cortina, w^ouldst thou have me live, 
These doubts, these jealous fears forgive; 
W^hen all the nearest friends forsook. 
Still was Marina's faith unshook; 
And never, till that day my sire 
Assailed thee in his awful ire. 
Incensed by false report to learn, 
That thou his pardon dared to spurn. 
Did I believe, thou who couldst be 
Faithless to him, wert false to me; 
But since my sire has been deceived. 
And thou his pardon ne'er received; 
And since thou bear'st a christianheart. 
All guiltless as I know thou art, 
W'ith me before his presence go. 
His mercy yet for thee may flow; 
Seek not those walls w^here certain death 
Waits but to mark thy latest breath, 
W^here sounds to me each distant boom 
Like knell propehtic of thy doom." 

" Marina W'ouldst thou bid me be 
That which you once despised in me. 



I8 THE SIEGE 

And traitor prove to each and all, 

With whom I'm pledged to stand or fall; 

Not so, I must be true to them, 

Howe'er my land my course condemn. 

I am not what I sought to be, 

But what my country made of me. 

Rebellion— name by them abhorr'd, 

To me it is a sacred word; 

Beneath her flag I found a friend. 

To save me from a bitter end. 

So cheer thee, e'en though fortune low'rs, 

For victory may yet be ours; 

For still our bands sustain the hope. 

With all thy father's force to cope, 

Till Bonham brings the promised aid, 

Which some mischance has but delayed; 

Till then thy prayers to heaven address 

For Texas and for our success. 

With this assurance of thy love 

A deadlier foe my arm shall prove 

To one whose heart is yet to feel 

The stroke of my avenging steel." 



CANTO III, 



'Tis dawn, and Dame Morning comes over the 

hills. 
To the warble of birds, and the murmur of rills; 
And the song of the herdsman, the bleating of 

flocks, 
And the plovers shrill note from his nest in 

the rocks; 
And the howl of the wolf in the shade of the 

glen, 
Returning once more to the gloom of his den; 
And — but thousands are arming for slaughter 

to-day. 
So hark! to the sound of the coming affray. 



OF THE ALAMO. ig 

• — ' — — ^ — — ^- — "1 

As irora the storm cloud on its path, 
While yet it wears a scowl of wrath; 
Bursts forth the thunder's deafening crash. 
Preceded by the blinding flash; 
So rises from the smoke and gloom. 
The oft repeated boom on boom; 
Where the batteries loud, and shrill, 
Are thundering on the distant hill. 
With guns as ready to perform, 
The walls re-echo to the storm. 

Such was the sight, when the first streaks 
Of morn shone on the distant peaks 
Of Alazan, ere yet her glow 
Had tinged the walls of Alamo; 
Where Travis foremost in command, 
Must now divide his faithful band. 
*'While I, with these, defend the south 
With rifle, blade, or cannon mouth; 
To you, brave Crockett, I assign 
To follow each command of thine; 
This band, the choice where all are best, 
Go hold the battery on the west; 
There win that fame to thee more pride, 
Than all thy native state denied. 
And Bowie, '^ in thy skillful hand, 
To keep the east, I leave this band. 
For there are none their lives would yield 
More gladly on the battle field. 
Cortina, with these few go forth. 
Defend the entrance on the north; 
And when the foe assail thy post, 
With shot and shout and scornful boast, 
In freedom's name let vengeance fall, 
And as thine honor guard the wall." 

The guns have ceased, and all is still, 
No sound is heard upon the hill, 
Save neigh of steed, or distant hum 
Of voices, or the boist'rous drum, 



20 THE SIEGE 

As forming for the fierce assault, 
The Mexics to their saddles vault; 
Like meteors shoot along the sky, 
From rank to rank the couriers fly. •" r 
But all is ready, and each band 
Waits only for its chief's command; 
'Tis given; and yelling dash the foe 
On long disputed Alamo. 

But, as the rattle-snake recoils 
Before an enemy as fierce; 
Although his tooth with, anger boils, 
He dreads another's deadly pierce. 
Thus shrank the Mexicans before, 
The frowning smoke, and steady roar, 
That issued with such heavy force. 
And checked awhile their onward course. 
Tho' thick, and fast his soldiers fall 
With every volley from the wall, . 
Not yet Almonte's hope is gone. 
For fearless still, he cheers them on. 
Again they charge, but to* retire 
Before the Texan's withering fire, 
Who still, tho' fast the foe retreat, 
Pour forth their storms of iron sleet 
Upon the few who still remain. 
Receding o'er the lately slain. 
Vainly here the wretch in dying. 
Implored assistance from the flying; 
For heedless here of every groan 
The brother heard the brother's moan; 
Here too, the father turned to fly, 
And left his only son to die; 
For here no thought of other's woes 
W^ithin the warrior's breast arose, 
Whose only hope w^as to escape 
The vollies of the deadly grape. 

But foremost on the battle's brink, 
Where charging lines collide and sink, 



OF THE ALAMO 21 

And first from his station on the north, 
To lead the successful sally forth, 
Cortina, for his bravery known ■ 
And reckless daring, stood alone; 
Where'er the the battle ra:,g£d with^doubt, 
His voice rang with inspiring shout, 
Which gave fresh courage to his men, 
And urged them to the charge again; 
Where 'er the foe assailed the wall, 
His form wa.s seen the first of all; 
Or where in many a lifeless heap, 
The dead in gory masses sleep, 
O'er which a few the fight maintain. 
And add fresh carnage to the slain, 

All day the cannon's infilade 

Poured on the rocky palisade, 

Where now and then some weaker spot 

Was shivered by the conic shot; 

In showers the scattered shells v\'cre sent, 

Like stars along the firmament. 

Yet still the.fprt amid the storm 

Up-reared her dark, defiant form, . 

For still her v/al'te with equal ire 

Returned the Mexic's heavy fire, 

Till smAoke grew denser o'er the scene, 

As if from heaven tlie sight to screen, 

Till fast increasing with each flash 

That grew more bright vv'ith every crash, 

Those sounds terrific shook the shore 

In one long, wild, incessant roar. 

." ... ^ . * 

'Tis night, the' moon with placid niein, 
Shines brightly on the sanguine scene. 
The sounds pf strife have died away, 
rho' still arotmd the fortress lay. 
The scattered fragments of the dead, ^ • 
The shattered limb, the severed head, 
And here, and there the field around, _, 
Some vva'rrior's entrails strew the ground, 



Ti THE SIEGE 



O'er which the vultures hovering. 
Now whet the beak, now flap the wing. 
But all is silent here again, 
And calm, and undisturbed, save when 
Some victim of the recent slaughter. 
Implores for aid or moans for water; 
Save when, with wild, discordant strain 
The cayotes howl upon the plain; 
For on the hills the baffled foes 
Have sunken to their night's repose; 
While to the Texans, lack of numbers 
Denies the boon of needful slumbers. 

But hark! a noise is heard without. 
And Bonham! Bonham! *> is the shout; 
Forth to the church the Texans spring, 
The massive doors now backward swing. 
While promptly at the guard's command. 
He enters followed by his band. 
Tho' small the promised aid he brings. 
Still loud the sound of welcome rings; 
As fast the Texans throng to grasp, 
Each hand with warm and friendly clasp. 
This done, wherever duty calls, 
Each seeks his station on the walls, 
In readiness to answer back, 
Should foemen dare the night attack. 

Among the late arrived was one, 
A youth he seemed yet known to none. 
Though small his hand, and fair his face, 
And woman-like his step of grace, 
Yet short the locks his head revealed, 
Or else his hat their length concealed; 
Not oft is seen such smile, such blush, 
Man's lip to curl, man's cheek to flush, 
And saving that dark eye of fire, 
The warlike garb, the male attire, 
Naught had been left the mind to vex. 
In her, whose dress belied her sex. 



OF THE ALAMO. 



Yes 'twas Marina, who this night, 

To reach the wall, had braved the fight; 

And none among that band did lurk, 

Whose pistols had done deadlier work; 

Wherever heard, wherever. seen, 

All marked her strange, mysterious mien; 

Despite of this, her deep disguise 

Escaped detection in their eyes; 

And none, save Cortina, had dreamed. 

The maid was other than she seemed. 

One moment, on her lovely face, 

He looked, then turned away his gaze; 

As if he feared, his own might show 

The truth that others should not know. 

The night has vanished, and the day 
Shines up the east with ruddy ray, 
But here to great the morn is heard, 
No insects hum, no song of bird, 
No lark his early matin pours. 
And far away the eagle soars; 
Scared by the sounds of yesterday 
The thrush forgot her wonted lay. 
The wild deer left his place of rest, 
The dove forsook her new-made nest; 
No mocking-bird with strain is here, 
To charm the soldier's drowsy ear; 
But the shrill bugle's sound instead 
Shall rouse him from his rugged bed. 

The war-steeds are neighing, the trumpets are braying, 

The rear guard are rushing the van on the fort; 

The wild war-cries have rent the skies. 

Now drowned bv the fortress' loud cannon report. 

Still loudly they bellow, their slogan dequelo. 

And the guns are all levelled with aim unamiss; 

While the shots are all hurled, like eruptions unfurl'd 

From the iron bound cannons volcanic abyss. 

Thus, with wild sashes streaming and banners at large 

The Mexican warriors rushed on to the charge. 



z4 THE SIEGE 



Thick death attends each volley's rattle, 
And few are left to fight the battle, 
Of those, who yesterday so well 
Maintained the wall, while many fell; 
And yet these few, tho' worn with toil, 
The Mexic's force a moment foil. 
For Crockett's men, tho' closely pressed. 
Still held the Mexics on the west, 
While Bonham stationed on the east, 
Slew hundreds for the vulture's feast; 
Till thinned in numbers, fill with fear, 
And baffled in their fierce career, 
The van gave way; and as they fled 
From rank to rank the panic spread; 
So 'twas — repulsed and routed, all 
At length forsook the fatal wall. 

But who is he whose stern commands 

So quickly checks those flying bands? 

For see ! they pause, once more reform 

Their broken lines and face the storm. 

'Tis he, the aged veteran! 

'Tis old Almonte leads the van. 

Once more against those w^alls, where late, 

His best and bravest met their fate. 

He thinks not on the piles of slain. 

Where half his army strews the plain. 

But slowly, sternly, turns from all. 

And points toward the southern wall. 

Hark! to the yell! again the foe 

Advance on distant Alamo; 

With picks and iron bars in hand 

The foremost of Almonte's band, 

Assail the wall; before the shock. 

Slow yields the hard and stubborn rock; 

If but they can obtain the breach. 

The long-sought victory 's in their reach. 

They strike, they pry, the tug, they strain. 

Nor are their efforts all in vain; 



OF THE ALAMO, 



For shivered b}' successive blows, 
Tiie wall more \veak and yielding c^rows, 
And tottering o'er, the falling mass 
At length reveals a narrov/ pass. 
Thro' which the Mexics howling press, 
Exultant o'er their first success. 

Surrounded by his faithful band, 
Within the breach see Travis stand! 
No desperate task, no peril there, 
Appears too great for him to dare. 
His form erect, his arm of might. 
Is ever foremost in the fight. 
But vain his valor; every hour 
Adds hundreds to the Mexic's power, 
While, one by one, the Texans face, 
Their fate with none to fill their place. 
At length beneath a mortal wound, 
Even Travis staggered to the ground, 
But ere he fell a deadly blow. 
He levelled at the nearest foe; 
Saw on the turf his \'ictim cast, 3^ 
Then sank to earth and breathed his last. 

Now^ wilder, louder than before 
Rose from the breach the battle's roar 
By either side more fiercely waged, 
O'er Travis' form the struggle raged, 
Till far outnumbered in the strife. 
And thinned by loss of many a life; 
Cut off, hemmed in, behind, before, 
Hope filled the Texan's breast no more; 
Unconquered still each dying man 
Sells life as dearly as he can. 
Till shouts of victory on the plain 
Proclaim at last no more remain. 

Meanwhile with equal fury pressed. 
Had Crockett's men maintained the west: 
And there repulsed Almonte's band, 
In many a desperate hand to hand; 



26 THE SIEGE 

Bat wjaker grown, since Travis' fall, 
The long-tried Texans leave the wall; 
For foes by thousands throng the yard, 
And their last hope's the church to guard; 
There firmly marshalled 'round the door, 
The\' turn to meet the foe once more; 
There Crocke'ct foremost in the fight, -'^ 
Displays an arm of matchless might; 
And fiercely urged or bravely lead, 
The foe behold his form with dread; 
For where he stood in circle 'round, 
His late slain victims strewed the ground: 
Almonte saw, and with a blow 
Rushed forw^ard to dispatch his foe; 
And though a deadly wound he dealt, 
Himself as deep a one hath felt; 
Fiercely the look of hatred burned, 
That each upon the other turned; 
As slowly on the gory ground, 
Fach sank beneath the mutual wound. 

Still followed by a daring few, 
Cortina to the church withdrew; 
Here sheltered by the friendly w^all, 
They may a while prolong their fall; 
And unexposed themselves, may pour 
Fresh volleys on the foe before; 
Who now with yells and oaths profane. 
Against the entrance pound in vain; 
Not baffled yet; they seize a gun, 
The first proud piece so dearly won; 
This aimed, with one terrific roar, 
The sharp shot struck the massive door. 
Which from its hinges rudely torn, 
With heavy crash was backward borne; 
And racked and shattered, to the ground 
Fell with a dull prophetic sound. 

To this same spot with loud command, 
Cortina urged his dauntless band; 



OF TH E ALA MO 27 



Yet paused himself, but not from fear, 
He turned to her who still was near. 
Whose sad but lovely face the while, 
Looked up to his with trusting smile. 
But as she marked the deep despair, 
That o'er his brow hung darkly there, 
Her heart was fill'd with thousand fears 
Her eye grew dim with sudden tears 
And o'er her cheek so softly red 
A.strange and deathlike pallor spread: 
"Yes all is o'er, that fearful boom 
Was but the death-knell of thy doom" 
'Tw^as thus, the fatal truth she guessed. 
Then sank half lifeless on his breast. 



His arms still fondly clasped her form, 
He kissed her lips, they yet were warm. 
But hark! the first sounds of the fray 
Now warn him that he must aw^ay; 
Yet still he paused, 'twas but to press 
Upon her cheek a last caress; 
Then as the crash of battle near. 
Burst loudly on his listening ear; 
He rose with more convulsive start, 
Than if a poinard pierced his heart, 
And the next moment saw him stand, 
Among the foremost of his band. 
All fresh and eager to oppose, 
The circle of surrounding foes. 

He drew his pistol from its sheathe, 
Already two have ceased to breathe; 
Another, and another falls. 
Beneath its deadly leaden balls. 
But now around on every hand. 
Or dead or wounded, lie his band; 
When hark! he hears a taunting voice, 
That o'er his fall would fain rejoice. 
And turning quickly in the fight, 



28 TflE SIEGE 

Zamora's visage met his sight. 
Again his sabre's shining length 
He plied with more than human strength; 
One hops-'twas vengance-still was left, 
Right toward that chief his path he cleft; 
Ere foes could aid, or fiiends take part, 
Cortina's weapon pierced his heart; 
And as his victim struck the ground, 
He thought, to wrench it from the wound, 
When lo! beneath the sudden strain, 
The faithless blade was snapped in twain; 
But 'round his now defenceless form, 
The foe in hundreds seemed to swarm, 
Ere eye could mark, or tongue could tell, 
Without a groan Cortina fell. 

He raised his feeble blood bespattered 
Hand, wherein his sword was shattered. 
rii' approaching foe who now drew nigh, 
He saw but with indifferent eye; 
That eye, which closing fast in death. 
As fainter grew each struggling breath; 
Still marked them with defiant air. 
That gave no token of despair; 
While fast from many a ghastly wound, 
His gushing life-blood dyed the ground. 
There was no sign, there was no trace, 
Of dread upon his pallid face; 
No shudder through his bosom passed, 
But all w^as calmness to the last. 

'Tis dusk, and silence on the shore 
Proclaims the deadly conflict o'er. 
To guard the walls no more remain, 
Their last defender 's with the slain. 
Here where such deadly strife hath been, 
Few^ living forms may now be seen, 
Save where, with face both sad and pale. 
Some sister of the cross and veil, 
Bends gently o'er a dying man 



OF THE ALAMO 



29 



To soothe, as only woman can, 
That last sad hour when death is near, 
With loving touch and words of cheer. 
At length they reached the fatal church. 
This yet remained for them to search. 
They entered, and upon the ground 
'Twas there Marina first was found; 
For her a narrow mound they made, 
'Neath which her tender form was laid. 
But he, the faithful and the brave, 
For whom her gentle live she gave, 
They left no sign, not even a trace, 
To mark his latest resting place. 
These the last words the priestess said 
Above the maiden's funeral bed: 
"Enough of wings her soul was given, 
To aid its happy flight to heaven." 




^^APPENDIX-^^ 

NOTES TO CANTO FIRST. 

1) The state alluded to here is Coahuila, which at that 
time included the greater part of T< xas, and was gov- 
erned by a Viceroy appointed by the Ruler of Mexico. 
In which capacity, Almonte is supposed here to have 
acted. 

2) Adios (Spanish) meaning farewell. 

3) Caballero.a Mexican cavalryman. 

4) Mexiiili,the old Aztec Mars or god of war. 

5) Teha, the old name applied by the Mexicans to Texas. 

6) Teocalli is the name if a Shrine on which the ancient 
Aztecs offered human sacratice. 

7) Cortez considered the Tlascalans the bravest of all the 
Aztec tribes. 

8) Montezuma is said, by Cortez and his followers, to have 
had regularfeatares and a white complexion, and on the 
whole, he was considered by them, a man of fine per- 
sonal appearance. 

NOTES TO CANTO SECOND 

i) It was from the Alazan hills, situated west of San An- 
tonio, that Santa Anna opened his first cannonade on 
the Alamo, 

2) One hundred and eighty two Tfxans defended this fort 
against an army of six thousand Mexicans. 

3) Milam, who fell in the siege of San Antonio, previous 
to the fall of the Alamo. 

4) Perry was another Texan hero. It was to his bravery 
and promptitude in organizing the citizens, that San 
Antonio owed her safty one time in particular; that 
was when he defeated Elisondo on the heights of Al- 
azan. 

5) I am aware, that Santa Anna commanded the Mexican 
army in person in this Siege; but I have given Almon- 
te, o.ie of his generals, that place, as the name is more 
suited to the meter. 

NOTES TO CANTO THIRD. 

i) The return of Bonham, wrich I have here attempted to describe, 
is a historical fact. 

2) Dequelo, which means no quarter, was the war-cry of the Mexicans 
used in the last charge. 

3) Travis had charge of the defense of the southern wall. It was 
while here cheering on his men that a ball struck him in the fore- 
h ad. A Mexican officer rushed forward to dispatch him, 'but 
died on the point of Travis' sword, ere that hero breathed his last." 

4) It has been a subject of considerable discussion as to the preise 
spot, where Crockett fell. But it is now generally conceded that 
he fell at the main entrance of the Alamo. 



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